Latest updates about the lab

IBHI-lab Participation to the 3rd International Conference, Yaoundé, 25-28 September 2023.

IBHI-lab member participated to the Cameroonian Academy of Young Scientists Conference (CONFCAYS2023).

First Schistosomiasis Day 2023

On July 26th, 2023, Cameroon achieved a significant milestone in the fight against schistosomiasis with the inaugural Schistosomiasis Day at the Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plant Studies (IMPM), organized by the Unit of ImmunoBiology and Helminth Infections (IBHI) supported by the Wellcome Center for Integrative Parasitology. The event aimed to raise awareness and […]

Strengthening research capacities: an intermediate level biostatistics training

The organization EVIDENCE for RESEARCH headed by Mr. Irénée Domkam, conducted a one-week biostatistics hands-on training course from the 10th -14th of July 2023 at IMPM for the members of the Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology and the Unit of Immunobiology and Helminthes Infection. The course commenced with an introduction to descriptive statistics and progressed to inferences in statistics, followed by an in-depth exploration of R programming and data analysis using R Studio. Participants gained essential statistical skills and hands-on experience, enabling them to effectively handle and interpret data for research purposes. The capacity-building initiative is expected to foster the team expertise and enhance the quality of biomedical research results produced locally.

Determinants of Resistance to Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Infection: Seminar by Assoc.Prof Muki Shey and Collaboration Prospects

Dr. Muki Shey, an esteemed visiting Associate Professor from the University of Cape Town, delivered an impactful seminar at the IMPM conference hall on June 20th, 2023. The focus of his presentation revolved around “elucidating the determinants of resistance to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection among healthcare workers with sustained occupational exposure”. Notably, Dr. Shey expressed a keen interest in expanding his ongoing study to Cameroon and actively seeking collaborative partnerships for further investigation. The seminar garnered substantial attention, with engaged participants engrossed in constructive discussions regarding the research methodology and potential implications. The meeting culminated with a resolute commitment to exploring collaborative avenues in the pursuit of understanding tuberculosis infection resistance. To build on this, Dr Muki Shey will be hosted at the IBHI Unit from June 19th – July 07th 2023.

Merck KGaA Officials visit the IBHI Laboratory

Site visit and riveting discussion at the IBHI Lab by Merck KGaA Global Health Institute officials, Dr Beatrice Greco and Dr Rana Afshar. The need for continued collaborative venture by endemic researchers and the intensification of bedside research was discussed amid presentations by Merck-funded fellows.

Infrastructural expansion of the IBHI Unit-associated laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

A new container-based facility of the hosting laboratory of the Unit of Immunobiology and Helminth Infections i.e. the Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology was inaugurated on April 19th, 2023 by all top officials of the Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plant Studies of the Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation of Cameroon. This addition to the infrastructural fleet of the IBHI Unit and the Biomol Lab was made possible by funds from the UK royal Society through a collaborative grant between the IBHI Unit and the University of Glasgow *LambertonLab *UK Royal Society

Real-time qPCR training of IBHI staff on BioRAD CFX-96 by Inqaba Biotec Central Africa

Following a Merck KgaA Global Health Institute-funded acquisition of a real-time qPCR BioRAD CFX-96, All staff of the IBHI Unit and the Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Lab of IMPM, MINRESI were trained on the use of the instrument by Inqaba Biotec (Central and West African branches).

The training took place in two sessions: a theorical session on the basics (purpose, generality on PCR , equipment handling) and a practical session on a test run of COVID-19 diagnostic by qPCR on human patients RNA samples.

Evidence4research training in bio-statistics at IBHI lab.

IBHI lab achieved one of his mission on capacity building of researchers in Biostatistics. Evidence4research led by their head data scientist M. IRENE DOMKAM carried out this second training session on February 20-21st, 2023 at the IBHI laboratory site in Yaounde.

IBHI’s End-of-Year Dinner with all the members

The end-of-the-year dinner was held on the 15th of December 2022 at JC Bastos in Yaounde. The head of the laboratory encountered this opportunity to give a general appreciation and encouragement to all lab members regarding their respective work and announced objectives for the new year 2023.

IBHI Lab at the face to face meeting on Schistosomiasis, London, UK

Dr Nono participated in the Face to face schistosomiasis meeting from 22-23 September 2022 organized by the University of Dundee Drug Discovery Unit with high level officials of Merck, WHO, DNDi and Wellcome Trust to discuss on the best ways forward to new treatments against schistosomiasis.